Officer Helps Family Out of His Own Pocket

Friday’s Hero: Officer Hector Marquez

November 15, 2013

Albuquerque- Today Mayor Richard J. Berry honored an officer who went above and beyond his call of duty to help a grandmother and her children who would have not eaten if not for his kindness. Officer Hector Marquez of the Albuquerque Police Department, went on a standard call to check on a family but ended up being their hero.

This past September, Officer Marquez responded to a call where he met a family struggling to make ends meet. A grandmother was raising her six grandchildren, all under the age of 14. With their parent’s absence, the grandmother was straining to put food on the table. Officer Marquez discovered that the children had not eaten since early that morning and could not bring himself to leave the family without help. Officer Marquez went to a local grocery store and purchased groceries for the family at his own expense with the help of a $10 donation from an Albuquerque Fire Department firefighter.

Officer Marquez did not report his act of kindness, but his squad mates were so impressed with his act of generosity that the story soon was heard by their superiors and went viral.

Within minuets of Albuquerque Police Department posting Officer Marquez’s story online, Albuquerque citizens started flooding the Facebook page with words of thanks and gratitude for such an officer. See their comments here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583950734976125&set=a.482215295149670.105992.240263116011557&type=1&theater

Officer Hector Marquez’s selfless actions make him a true hero. Albuquerque’s citizens have already shown their resounding support and gratitude for him, making him a personal hero to all, knowing that there is always help for those who need it, and simple heart-felt actions leave a lasting impression.